Overview

• Germany's partial cannabis legalization, implemented in April 2024, has failed to significantly curb the illegal cannabis market, with limited legal supply cited as a key issue.
• Law enforcement officials report difficulties in distinguishing legal from illegal cannabis, complicating enforcement and creating frustration among police forces.
• Cannabis cultivation associations have been slow to expand, with only a handful operational, leaving their impact on reducing the black market minimal.
• Public health experts warn of increasing mental health issues linked to cannabis use, particularly among vulnerable populations, including youth.
• The German Police Union and medical professionals are calling for revisions to the law, citing enforcement inefficiencies and insufficient safeguards to address health risks.